Baby muskox passes four days after birth at Yukon Wildlife Preserve

Key takeaways: 

• The calf, born a week earlier than expected, had an intestinal blockage in the small intestine.
• The first baby muskox born this season in the Yukon Wildlife Preserve died on April 12, four days after its delivery. 

A muskox calf was seen dead at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve on April 12, only four days after being born. 

The calf, born a week before than expected on April 8, was the first birth of this spring at the preserve.

Jake Paleczny, the Yukon Wildlife Preserve executive director (YWP), stated nothing could’ve been done to stop the sudden demise.

The autopsy showed there was an intestinal blockage in the small intestine.

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Because the calf’s age and size “would have been challenging to diagnose and even more difficult to treat actually,” stated Paleczny. 

“We like to offer the best care for these animals, so it’s difficult when things don’t go the way we expect they will,” said Paleczny. The YWP stated they anticipate another five calves born between mid-July and mid-August this season.

“We’ve got our fingers crossed that it will be alright,” stated Paleczny. “That muskox born in the coming weeks will be fit and strong. And hopefully, this is it for any tragic result.”

The YWP also hopes to see baby bison and caribou this spring.

Source – cbc.ca